The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Pickle gets pricey this season

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 17, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Pickle gets pricey this season

Swathi.V

Dearth of good mangoes, rising prices of oil and chilli powder quoted as factors

-Photo: Nagara Gopal

Ready for sale: Vendors selling mangoes at the Gaddiannaram fruit and vegetable market at Kothapet.

HYDERABAD: Ramanamma, a domestic help at Dilsukhnagar, stopped receiving her customary dose of mango pickle along with the idlis served by her employers. Instead, she has to make do with either ‘erra karam’ or a dash of lemon pickle, which she does not relish much.

“People do not serve ‘aavakaya’ anymore. It has become a pricey pickle that can not be wasted on housemaids,” she says.

Not only the gratuitous share of maids, but also the paid fare at hotels is being subject to erosion. The pickle, hitherto served unasked along with curd rice at many eateries, will be given only on request henceforth. Waiters of even well-known restaurants received orders to this effect.

The choicest pickle of Andhra Pradesh has moved up high on the price ladder, ditching many drooling souls.

Though the flavour of ‘aavakaya’ is palpable at market places with the arrival of pickle mango varieties, hectic activity typical of the season is noticeably missing this time. Non-availability of good variety mangoes and rising prices are quoted as the reasons.

“Favoured varieties such as Jalalu and Pedda Rasalu are coming in lesser quantities and are finished before noon. Scarcity of mangoes due to ‘Mangu’ disease has affected the pickling season,” shares Anasuya, a seller at Kothapet market.

Jalalu which were sold at a maximum price of Rs.17 apiece last year, are quoted at Rs.25 this time. Pedda Rasam, another variety, is virtually absent. Country mangoes are offered at Rs.2 or Rs. 3 each, apart from the cutting charges of Rs.1 each.

“Enormous increase in the prices of oil and chilli powder also contributes to the cost. For 25 mangoes, I need to use three kilograms of AS Brand oil, which is mighty expensive,” says P. Rajeswari, a home maker. Sesame oil used for pickling is costing 50 per cent more this time at Rs.150 per kilogram. The exclusive chilli powder at Rs. 84 is 40 per cent higher than last year. With the fire accident at Guntur mirch yard, the latter’s price is poised to go further up. Cost of mustard seeds, an essential ingredient of ‘aavakaya’ has gone up by Rs.10 within the last six months.

Cost dynamics of ‘aavakaya’ are obvious at all the Swagruha outlets in the city, with the price of the pickle enhanced by 20 to 30 per cent. At Rs.120 to Rs.160 per kilogram, the pickle in ‘garlic’ and ‘non-garlic’ varieties is proving to be the proverbial sour grapes for many. Less expensive ground nut oil replaces the customary sesame oil at many places.

“This time, we are planning to pickle only 600 to 700 mangoes unlike the earlier 1,000. Demand is high, but the prices are daunting. Even the quality of mangoes is not good,” says G. Gandhi, a Swagruha shop owner at Chikkadpally.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh